Ubisoft's unique tactical fighter continues to draw in competitive players who love intense melee combat and complex art of battle mechanics. However, newcomers looking to purchase the game on PC are often met with a confusing choice between two primary versions available on digital stores. Making the right decision depends heavily on how much time you want to spend unlocking the diverse roster of warriors.
The Core Cost and Roster Accessibility
The Starter Edition offers a highly budget-friendly entry point into the faction war, providing complete access to all gameplay modes and maps. The primary drawback lies in how it handles the base heroes, which require significantly more in-game steel currency to recruit compared to other versions. Players will need to invest considerable playtime to unlock the characters they want to master over time.
In contrast, the Standard Edition features a higher initial price tag but drastically reduces the long-term progression barriers for the launch roster. The original heroes cost a fraction of the price, allowing you to quickly build a versatile lineup of knights, vikings, and samurai. This makes it the ideal option for those who want immediate variety without a monumental currency grind.
Evaluating the Steel Economy and Grind Requirements
Unlocking a single base hero in the Starter Edition requires thousands of steel, which can take multiple days of completing daily orders to accumulate. This creates a massive hurdle if you enjoy switching between different playstyles frequently during matchmaking sessions. Many community members note that this version behaves similarly to a free-to-play model despite the entry fee.
With the Standard Edition, the launch roster can be fully recruited after just a few hours of completing initial tutorials and orders. This system leaves your hard-earned steel free to be spent on customization items, premium executions, and gear upgrades instead of basic character access. The investment curve is far smoother for casual players who cannot log in every single day to farm match rewards.
Choosing the Best Value for Your Gaming Style
If you are entirely uncertain whether the tactical combat mechanics will appeal to you, the cheaper version serves as an inexpensive trial option. It allows you to test the core mechanics against real opponents without making a significant financial commitment up front. However, you must accept that your progression will be deliberately slowed down unless you pay real money later.
For dedicated fighting game enthusiasts who know they will spend dozens of hours mastering combos, the premium tier offers the best overall value. It respects your time by delivering a fully functional competitive sandbox almost immediately upon installation. Avoiding the restrictive roster limitations ensures a much more enjoyable introduction to the chaotic battlefields.
